Shloka 12
कालनिर्देशः शोकनिवारणं च
Instruction on Kāla and the Removal of Grief
आधानादीनि कर्माणि शक्तिमान्न करोति यः । अप्रयच्छंश्व॒ सर्वाणि नित्यदेयानि भारत
ādhānādīni karmāṇi śaktimān na karoti yaḥ | aprayacchaṁś ca sarvāṇi nityadeyāni bhārata ||
हे भारत, जो समर्थ होते हुए भी अग्न्याधान आदि विहित कर्म नहीं करता और जो नित्य देने योग्य दान-उपहारों को भी नहीं देता, वह अपने कर्तव्य से च्युत होकर धर्माचरण में हीन पड़ता है।
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Capability creates obligation: one who has the means should perform prescribed duties (especially household/ritual responsibilities) and should not withhold regular, obligatory giving; neglect of both is a lapse in dharma.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, Vyāsa addresses Bhārata (Yudhiṣṭhira) and characterizes a blameworthy type of person: the capable householder who neglects required rites and fails to give what should be given regularly.